Cape Buffalo

These great creatures can weigh up to 800 kilograms and both sexes have large, curved horns. The males horns are longer and develop a bigger and stronger ‘boss’ (the centre part), which is used in fights for dominance, during which the male buffalo run and plough into each other with the force of a car hitting a brick wall at 50 kilometres per hour. The boss becomes so strong that it is impossible to penetrate, even with a bullet.

Buffalos live in herds of up to 500 individuals, although some groups of around 2,000 have been recorded. The hierarchy of the herd is such that the stronger, dominant animals walk at the front, in the middle of the herd so that they are protected from threats and can enjoy better grazing. Their social structure and behaviour make them one of the most feared animals in Africa and they are ferocious opponents even to lions, their biggest threat in the wild. It is said that a buffalo looks at you like you owe them money.